Gangrene is dead tissue. This condition develops when a wound becomes infected or tissue is destroyed by an accident. It can involve any body part, but the most common sites are toes, feet, fingers, and hands. There are two types of gangrene, dry-where there is no bacterial infection and wet-when a wound becomes infected with bacteria. The term gas gangrene refers to a dangerous form of wet gangrene.

Risk Factors for the Development of Gangrene

• Diabetes
• Smoking, which decreases blood flow
• Atherosclerosis
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Excess alcohol consumption, which interferes with blood vessel function
• Raynaud's phenomenon and Buerger's disease

Causes of Gangrene

• Blood clot in an artery
• Hardening of arteries in atherosclerosis
• Blood flow being blocked or severely reduced
• Tissue injury caused by accident, surgery, deep puncture wounds, or burns
• Crushing injury cutting off blood supply
• Severe frostbite
• Infection with clostridia perfringens germs

Signs and Symptoms of Gangrene

• Foul smelling discharge from ulcers
• Black skin with dead underlying muscle and bone
• Crepitation of the skin, sensation feels like pressing on air bubbles under the skin
• Swelling
• Fever
• Pain or loss of sensation in affected area

Diagnosis of Gangrene

• Medical history and physical examination
• X-rays of any suspicious area to detect gas in the tissues
• Laboratory studies of samples from the blood and gangrene site

Treatment for Gangrene Gangrene is usually curable in the early stages with antibiotic treatment and surgery to remove the dead tissue. Without treatment, gangrene may lead to a fatal infection.

• Surgery to remove the dead tissue, as a last resort by amputation
• Efforts to improve circulation to thee impaired area
• Antibiotic therapy to treat infection
• Anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting
• Pain medication